1. Durgabai a visionary and pioneer

Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh was the founder chairperson of the central Social Welfare Board in the first years of its existence from 1953-62.

Dr. Durgabai was a woman of many factes. She was an active participant in the independence movement. She was also enrolled as an advocate in the Madras High Court. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh founded the Andhra Mahila sabha and expanded its activities to include training for women in weaving etc. She pioneered the concept of condensed coursed of Education for women through the sabha . The programme remains one of the Central Social Welfare Board's important activities.

As chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board, Durgabai imparted to the organisation her distinct flair for activism in the sphere of women's welfare and development. She contributed greatly to developing the Board as a body which could link the governmental sectors in the effort to ameliorate the status of women and children in the country.

In the 50th year of India's Independence the Central Social Welfare Board has honoured the memory of this great visionary and pioneer of women's progress by instituting an yearly award carrying her name.

2. Name of the Award

The name of the Award shall be "Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Award for Women's Development."

3. Nature of the award

The Award shall carry an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs, a citation and a shawl.

4. Scope

The award shall be presented to an organisation which has made outstanding and/or innovative contribution to women's welfare and empowerment and has at least 5 years of working experience in the field .

5. Selection of the Awardee

Awardee shall be selected by a screening committee consisting of ------

(i) Chairperson

First Lady of the country (In case she experesses her inabilty to be Chairperson or there is any unavoidable reason, wife of Vice President of India will be the Chairperson of the Committee.)

(ii) Vice Chairperson

Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board

(iii) Seven Members (to be selected every 2 years)

-Two eminent women Social WelfareBoard

-Two representatives of prominent voluntary organaisationns. (Two prominent Social Workers and two representatives of voluntary Organisations will be selected by the chairperson, Cental Social Welfare Board in consultation with the chairperson of the committee.) One representative of the Department of women & Child Development, Govt of India. Two chairpersons of State Social welfare Advisory Boards.

(iv) Member-Secretary

Executive Director , Central Social Welfare Board

(v) Two Special invitees

Chairperson , Central Social Welfare Board can invitees in consultation with chairperson of the committee.

6. Mode of calling for Nominations

(1) Departments of women & child Development/ Social Welfare of the state Governments/ Union Terriitories.

(2) Chairpersons of the State Social Welfare Advisory Boards.

They, on their own, will decide the process and procedure of selecting the voluntary Organisations for recommendation to Central social Welfare Board for giving the award. However they will be requested to set up theircommittee for selecting the voluntary Organisation . Any state Government/ UT Admn will not send more than 2 nominations and any Chairpersons of state Sociual Welfare Advisory Board will not send more than 3 nominations for the award.

7. Discretionary Powers of the Screening Committee

The Screening committee, at its discretion , may consider names other than those recommended / nominated by the Departments of women & Child Development/ social Welfare and Chairpersons of state Social Welfare Advisory Boards.

8. Date of Receipt of Recommendations

Nominations, duly forwarded by the authorised sources, detailed above should reach the Member-Secretary on or before the date fixed by the chairpersons of Central Socail Welfare Board in her capacity as vice chairperson of the screening committee.

The nominations should include a complete curriculum vitae of the nominated organisation as per performa to be sent to the concerned authorities as mentioned under ' Mode of calling nominations'

9. Date of Announcement of the Award

On the birthday of Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh, i.e. 15th July each year.

10. Date of Presentation of the Award

On founder's Day of the Central Social Welfare Board each year.

11. Place

The Award will be presented at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi-110001 at 6:00 PM

12. Receipt of the award

The Award will be received by an authorised representative of the awardee organisation.

13. TA/DA etc.

An authorised representative will be allowed to and fro air travel by economy class or by A/C two tier or first class (railway), which will be reimbursed by the Central Social Welfare Board. His or her board and loding will be arranged by the Central Social Welfare Board in india international centre or any suitable hostel. He/She will also be allowed payment of DA as per rules.